MND Research Donations Pass Major Milestone – MND and Me Foundation

MND Research Donations Pass Major Milestone

19 Nov

MND Research Donations Pass Major Milestone

With the announcement this week of the latest Scott Sullivan MND Research Fellowship, the MND and Me Foundation have passed the major milestone of $2.25 million dollars in MND research funding since their formation 10 years ago.

In the last two months $500,000 in research funding has been provided by the Queensland based charity including a joint grant with Melbourne based charity Fight MND, three named grants with MND Research Australia and the flagship Scott Sullivan Research Fellowship.

The MND and Me Foundation was established by Scott Sullivan, a husband and father of two children when he was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in 2010 at the age of 38, and sadly died from MND in April 2014.

The Fellowship was established in 2015 in memory of Scott Sullivan, an inspirational young MND campaigner, fundraiser and founder of the MND and Me Foundation.

MND and Me Foundation CEO Jane Milne said how proud the MND and Me Foundation is to have contributed over $2.25 million dollars to MND Research in its first 10 years.

“Scott Sullivan was a very strong advocate for research and he understood the importance of research into both the underlying cause of MND and the need for clinical trials.

“He also recognised the importance of new ideas and youthful enthusiasm, and this Fellowship is instrumental in creating a synergy between basic and clinical science research.” Ms Milne said.

In 2022 the new partnership with MND Research Australia launches the Scott Sullivan Research Fellowship onto the National and International stage.

The Fellow will work closely with the Queensland MND Community and is a vital link between the MND and Me Foundation, those impacted by MND and the Queensland MND Research fraternity.

The latest recipient of the Scott Sullivan MND Research Fellowship was announced this week as Dr Fleur Garton from the University of Queensland.

Dr Garton’s research will investigate biomarkers of disease and genetic risk regions to help improve diagnosis and treatment avenues for the most common MND, sporadic ALS.

“I am incredibly honoured and thankful to the community to receive the Scott Sullivan fellowship. It will help accelerate my research program which aims to make a difference to those affected by this devastating disease.” Dr Garton said.

The MND and Me Foundation also funds three named grants through MND Research Australia and this week they have been announced as:

  • The NTI Research Grant – awarded to Dr Frederik Steyn from UQ to investigate preclinical validation of macimorelin, a ghrelin mimetic, as a treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
  • The Fat Rabbit Research Grant – awarded to Tanya McDonald from UQ to investigate the role of glucagon signalling in the progression of MND
  • The Col Bambrick Research Grant – awarded to Gabriel Trajano to investigate high-density electromyography as a new tool to monitor changes in motor neurone excitability in motor neurone disease.

 

The initial Scott Sullivan Research Fellowship was held by Dr Shyuan Ngo from 2015 – 2020 where she investigated the role of energy metabolism in the progression of the disease.

By combining research in the clinic and the lab, her research aims to understand how changes in the way the body and cells make and use energy can affect how motor neurone disease (MND) progresses.

“Fundamental discoveries in the lab as part of my Fellowship have now led to a clinical trial I am undertaking right here in Brisbane and in other clinics across the world.

“The support of the MND and Me Foundation through the Fellowship enabled me to grow my research ideas and was instrumental in leading me to this clinical trial.” Dr Ngo said.

ABOUT MND AND ME FOUNDATION

The MND and Me Foundation is a not for profit organisation formed by Scott Sullivan to raise awareness of Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and its impact in the community. Scott saw a desperate need to assist people living with MND, and their families, to maintain their independence and quality of life for as long as possible.

 

MND and Me Foundation is a significant financial contributor towards research into finding a cure for MND. In addition to raising funds to ensure a cure for MND is realised, the Foundation remains committed to improving the lives of those impacted by Motor Neurone Disease.

 

The Foundation aims to reduce the burden of recently diagnosed patients and their families and provide practical assistance to people living with MND, and their Carers, to help them cope with present and future challenges.

 

ABOUT MND RESEARCH AUSTRALIA

Motor Neurone Disease Research Australia (MNDRA) is the research arm of MND Australia.

MNDRA was established in 1984 as a national organisation promoting medical and scientific research into MND. The organisation has been driven forward by the vision to understand the causes, find effective treatments and discover cures for MND. Since 1984 MNDRA has provided >$40M in research funding ranging from early stage basic science, testing new drugs and treatments, developing new technology and refining current care models.

 

FURTHER INFORMATION

MND and Me Foundation                                           MND Research Australia

Jane Milne                                                                  Gethin Thomas

0448 149 887                                                             0434 975 117

[email protected]                                          [email protected]

www.mndandme.com.au                                           www.mndresearch.org.au